ATLANTA--Founder of the Knights of Columbus in 1882, Father Michael J. McGivney began his priestly ministry at St. Mary's Church in Hartford, Conn.

Father McGivney proposed and supported the foundation of numerous other Knights of Columbus councils throughout Connecticut and by 1885 there were 31 councils in the state. Since then, the order has grown to include more than 13,000 councils in 13 countries worldwide, with membership exceeding 1.5 million men. The order's original principles were charity and unity, while those of fraternity and patriotism were added later.

A Founder's Day Mass honoring Father McGivney was held March 22 at St. Ann's Church in Marietta. The celebrant was Father Robert Susann, MS, pastor and chaplain of Council 8376. State Knights officers Salvatore D'Ambrosio of Milledgeville, secretary, and Thomas Gissey of Marietta and members of Council 8376 attended the evening's events. A dinner and reception in the parish center followed the Mass.

Father McGivney was born in Waterbury, Conn., in 1852 and ordained to the priesthood in 1877 by Cardinal James Gibbons, then archbishop of Baltimore. After having served as a priest for only 13 years, he died of pneumonia in 1890.

In his homily, Father Susann spoke of the cause for canonization of Father McGivney, noting that if canonized, he would be the first American parish priest to be raised to the honors of the altar. In 1997, U.S. bishops voted unanimously for a formal opening for the cause of his canonization and, as the Vatican declared there were no obstacles to the process, the Archdiocese of Hartford formally opened the cause.

Father Susann said the work of the Knights at St. Ann's and in the community exemplifies the spirit of Father McGivney. Reflecting that spirit, last year Knights throughout the world contributed over 50 million hours in volunteer service and raised $107 million for the church.

To learn more about the cause for Father McGivney, contact Dominican Father Gabriel B. O'Donnell, postulator for the cause, at mcgivney@kofcsupreme.com, or write him in care of the Father McGivney Guild, One Columbus Plaza, New Haven, Conn., 06510-3326.